His route to the grand decider was unconventional, to say the least. But he was there right at the start, reaching the final of the first series, in 2004, where he finished third, behind Steve Brookstein and G4. Tabby O’Who? The career of the Co Sligo goth-popster did not soar after his appearance on The X Factor. Photograph: JMEnternational/Redferns via Getty The X Factor: Tabby O’Callaghan with Sharon Osbourne, his mentor. Apologies in advance for any PTSD triggered. (By flying the flag we of course mean waggling their enormous quiffs.) And as we come to terms with the cold reality of life without Big Band Week, Hollywood Week or Halloween Week, here’s a countdown of The X Factor’s most memorable Irish contestants. Without The X Factor, John and Edward Grimes wouldn’t have soared to stardom, represented Ireland at Eurovision, become panto mainstays or made “’Sup, Saaanta?” a key national question.īut if Jedward represented a high point – or at least some sort of point – of Irish involvement in The X Factor, they were not alone in flying the flag.
It has certainly made its presence felt in Ireland.
Amid the amusement, bemusement and schadenfreude that have greeted the news that the plug has been pulled on The X Factor, it’s easy to overlook the many ways in which Simon Cowell’s talent show changed the world.